Thursday, July 15, 2010

Summer Hours=The Three Martini Lunch

Looks like our main man from "Mad Men" knew what he was doing when he took those long-ass lunches back in the day.

On the hit 1960s-era series,Don Draper appears to be at the top of his game after a few cocktails. The question is: Can you do the same?!

River North's District Bar wants to test your skills with The Don Draper Treatment, debuting Friday. But, alas, they've toned it down because not everyone is privy to "summer hours." Instead of three massive, hardcore martinis, you'll get a flight of three smaller ones: an Absolut Dirty Martini; I Can’t Believe It’s Not Vodka Martini; and the Classic – Shaken, Not Stirred Martini.

Each cocktail is paired with updated versions of classic fare, including a BBQ meatloaf sandwich, primerib sandwich with horseradish cream, crab cakes with spicy rémoulade, and a goat cheesecake with blueberry compote.

Jokes & Notes: Bronzeville's laugh factory is hosting Laff Mob, featuring comedians who have performed on "Def Comedy Jam," "Last Comic Standing" and "Comics Unleashed." Get ready to fall out of your seat to the antics of Baldhead Phillips, Brian Babylon and Malik S. 8pm Friday through Sunday.

Kenmore Live Studios: Free ice cream! Did that get your attention?! Bleeding Heart Bakery does a live demo of its ice cream cupcake (YUM!), which means there will be samples. Also to keep you cool, local groovers Liquid Soul performs its gritty take on acid jazz. 7-9pm Saturday. Free.

Las Palmas: Let me be the first to introduce you to new Executive Chef Armando Gonzales, who's cranking out sophisticated Mexican fare at this longtime fixture in Bucktown. You may know it now for its mighty margaritas and sprawling atrium, but get ready for new menu items like the seared fresh Ahi-tuna marinated in ginger and jalapeño with zucchini, yellow squash, baby carrots, spinach and jalapeño chimichurri.

Signature Room: A few spots are still left for Executive Chef Patrick Sheerin's innovative Garden To Gourmet Weekend, happening Saturday and Sunday. At 9am Saturday, the chef will lead a one-hour guided tour of Green City Market. And guests return Sunday for a lavish Champagne brunch as Sheerin demonstrates several recipes using seasonal produce from the market. Get the $75 tickets here. 9-10am Saturday; 10:30am-2pm Sunday.

SVEDKA Bot B Que: The sexy Swedish vodka's doing a rooftop party at Market to promote its latest futuristic campaign, R U HOT OR BOT? They'll be passing out cocktail samples as well as BBQ bites. 7-9pm. Free, but RSVPs are recommended to cara@expagency.com.

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The Dish:

Audarshia Townsend's introduction to the online world began as one of the first two editors at metromix.com--where they set the tone for the entertainment site's cutting-edge style. She also has written lifestyle features for the Chicago Tribune, Essence, Los Angeles Times, Michigan Avenue, about.com, playboy.com, Huffington Post, DiningChicago.com, World's Best Bars and Upscale magazine. Additionally, she has appeared regularly on CLTV, WGN-TV and WCIU-TV's "You & Me This Morning" for cocktail-, dining- and nightlife-related features. In 2007, Audarshia launched 312DiningDiva.com, a daily dining-and-drinking blog keeping readers up to date on Chicago happenings. Her interests include staying fit with a regular Forrest Yoga practice, cycling in the city, and Flywheel Chicago classes.